Art And Soul

I recently read a piece written by someone I know, but don’t think much of. I found the piece to be shallow and stupid, just as I thought her to be. But when I got two other people – who’s opinion of the writer was less vehement - to read the same article, they managed to give a much more objective critique. They said that setting the actual thought aside – which was still EXTREMEMLY stupid - the piece had a nice flow, and an interesting style.

I was just thinking, did I dislike it with the intensity that I did, simply because I disliked the writer first? Would it have bugged me AS much if I didn’t know the personality behind the thought?

Is it even possible, to judge a piece of work objectively and for its own sake, separate from the nature of the person who crafted it? Would we, for example, admire Paradise Lost as much, had we known John Milton (reportedly a very difficult and unpleasant man, who gave his family a terrible time) personally?

How free are Michael Jackson’s dance sequences and music videos from his personal perversions?

When a person cannot live up to the advice he or she gives in his or her own personal life, why does that invalidate the wisdom of the advice?

I just suddenly realised how important a personality becomes when it comes to someone admiring your work, taking you seriously...or not. Is it then actually better to not know the heart behind the art?